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High-Quality, Stylish Interior

Functional, stylish, high-quality: the interior design of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG is also reminiscent of its bigger brother, the SLS AMG Roadster. Associations with the super sports car are evoked courtesy of the four air vents in the style of jet engines, as well as the center console finished in brushed aluminum. Placed in the center of the dashboard is an AMG-specific analog clock featuring an IWC design. The AMG Performance steering wheel, with its flattened top and bottom sections, also boasts metal trim, aluminum shift paddles and grip areas finished in perforated leather. The clearly-arranged AMG instrument cluster is positioned perfectly in the driver's field of vision and features four circular instruments, distinctive dials and the AMG main menu. The button for the transmission modes C, S and M is also located in the center console.

The AMG sports seats feature optimized lateral support and premium leather upholstery with AMG badges in the backrests and standard AIRSCARF necklevel heating system.

New Naturally Aspirated Eight-Cylinder Engine

The high-tech M152 motor in the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG dazzles with a combination of advanced technologies which is unequalled anywhere in the world. No other gasoline engine features direct injection at a pressure of 2,900 psi, spray-guided combustion and piezo injectors, all in conjunction with map-controlled cylinder shut-off, an all-aluminum crankcase with "spectacle" honing, fourvalve technology with continuous camshaft adjustment, a high compression ratio of 12.6 : 1, a stop/start system and generator management - while revving to a maximum speed of over 7,000 rpm.

The AMG Cylinder Management cylinder shut-off system - developed completely by Mercedes-AMG - significantly improves efficiency: cylinders two, three, five and eight are cut off under partial load, which lowers fuel consumption considerably. In similar form, this technology is also used in the 750-hp V8 engines used in Formula 1. As efficiency also plays a major role at the pinnacle of motor racing, two or four of the eight cylinders are cut off e.g. when cornering at slow speed, during Safety Car laps or for pit stops.

The crankcase of the new AMG 5.5-liter V8 engine features a diecast allaluminum construction. The low (dry) engine weight of just 412 lbs is the result of uncompromising lightweight construction methods. The bearing covers for the main crankshaft bearings are grey cast iron, and are bolted to the crankcase, as well as on the sides, for high rigidity.

As mentioned, the engine in the new Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG has a peak output of 415 hp and maximum torque of 398 lb-ft.

7-Speed Transmission

Power is transferred to the rear wheels by means of the AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission which features three transmission modes: "Controlled Efficiency" (C), Sport (S) and Manual (M). The automatic rev-matching function when downshifting as well as the brief, precisely defined interruption of ignition and injection when upshifting under full load shorten shift times and increase emotional appeal. A double turbine torsional damper with centrifugal pendulum adapts to engine speed and helps minimize vibrations in four-cylinder operation as well as enhances comfort.

Controlled Efficiency Stop/Start Function

The Controlled Efficiency stop/start function further contributes to the low fuel consumption. This system is standard equipment on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG and active in the fuel economy transmission mode "C". Once the driver brakes to a stop e.g. at a red traffic light, the V8 engine is automatically switched off. Once the brake pedal is released or the accelerator is depressed, the engine is immediately restarted and the car is able to move off quickly. Intelligent technology provides a comfortable and immediate starting procedure: a crankshaft sensor recognizes the direction of rotation and registers the resting position of all eight pistons. For an automatic engine start, the cylinder with the most favorable piston position receives an injection of fuel into its combustion chamber. The precise piezo-electric injectors greatly assist this process, as they make especially fast starts possible. The M152 always starts in eight-cylinder operation.

A framed "ECO" symbol in the AMG main menu shows the driver that the Controlled Efficiency stop/start function is active. When cylinder shut-off is active, the driver is informed by the symbol "ECO4", while "ECO8" stands for eight-cylinder operation. In the two more performance-oriented driving modes "S" (Sport) and "M" (Manual), the stop/start function is always deactivated. If required, the driver can also switch it off while in "C" mode as well. In this case neither a "stop/start" nor an "ECO" symbol appears.

New AMG Sports Exhaust System

On the new Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG, AMG is premiering a new sports exhaust system featuring an exhaust flap on each side. This technology resolves the trade off between an emotional exhaust note during spirited driving and a more discreet engine sound in the partial load range. The main focus of the sound design was to achieve a perfect synthesis of perceptible performance and the long-distance comfort that is a hallmark of Mercedes.

Each of the two rear silencers has a flap which is variably activated on a logiccontrolled basis depending on the driver's power requirement and the engine speed. At low loads and engine speeds below 2,000 rpm the flaps remain closed. This causes the exhaust gases to cover a longer distance and flow through an additional damping element, so that the engine sound is pleasantly subdued and disruptive frequencies are effectively suppressed - resulting in a mellow tone especially in four-cylinder operation when cylinder shut-off is active.

When the driver accelerates, the flaps open at an angle of 15, then 30 and up to 50 degrees so that some of the exhaust gases cover a short distance while the remaining follow the longer, acoustically dampened path producing a sonorous engine note. Under full load at higher engine speeds in eight-cylinder mode, both flaps are fully opened so that the occupants are able to enjoy the distinct muscular sound typical of an AMG V8. This emphasizes the performance potential of the 415 hp naturally aspirated AMG eight-cylinder engine.

The two-pipe AMG sports exhaust system with two chromed twin tailpipes has a pipe diameter of 2.56 inches from the manifolds to the pre-silencer. The diameter is reduced to 2.36 inches from the pre-silencer to the rear silencers.

Highly Expressive Driving Style and Comfortable Cruising

The AMG sports suspension with Torque Vectoring Brakes and AMG Direct- Steer system provides both impressive lateral dynamics as well as agile handling. Looking for a highly aggressive driving style or comfortable cruising? The new SLK55 AMG is able to offer both. Independent suspension struts with stiffer spring/damper tuning, torque strut bearings on the front axle featuring higher rigidity, stiffer stabilizers at all four corners as well as a more negative camber on the rear axle result in high cornering speeds and low body roll in fast S-shaped bends.

The AMG-exclusive 3-stage ESP gives individual control choices at the touch of a button: the ESP button in the center console allows the driver to choose between "ESP ON", "SPORT Handling Mode" and "ESP OFF". The AMG highperformance brake system has internally ventilated and perforated brake discs on all wheels, measuring 14.2 in. x 1.4 in. at the front and 13 in. x .9 in. at the rear. The system is characterized by outstanding responsiveness, short stopping distances and excellent fatigue resistance.

Optional AMG Handling Package

The optionally available AMG Handling Package enhances the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG's sportiness even further. It comprises an AMG Performance suspension with stiffer tuning, an AMG rear axle differential lock, two-piece brake discs at the front and a three-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel finished in premium leather with Alcantara inserts in the grip areas.

Panorama Roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL

The standard retractable hardtop opens and closes in less than 20 seconds, transforming the open-top Roadster into a closed-top Coupe with rigid roof at the touch of a button. Alternatively, a panorama roof panel in tinted polycarbonate can also be chosen. The third variant is a world premiere - the panorama roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL. This glass roof switches to light or dark as required at the press of a button. When activated it is virtually transparent, offering an open-air experience even in cold weather. In its dark state the roof provides welcome shade and prevents the interior from heating up from the sun's intense rays. In other words: a comfortable atmosphere at the touch of a button.

The frames of the three roof variants are made of magnesium. This makes each roof around 13 lbs lighter than in the previous model, giving the car a lower center of gravity - which benefits its agility. A comfortable alternative to the standard wind-stop is the new AIRGUIDE pivoting wind-stop. It consists of pivoting transparent plastic wings which are attached to the back of the rollover bars. The advantage: no installation or removal effort required.

Modern Assistance Systems

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG sets new standards when it comes to safety: a whole host of the latest assistance systems support the driver and help secure the new AMG Roadster's exceptional position in its segment. Standard equipment includes new, fiber-reinforced roll-over bar, two-stage driver and front passenger airbags, headbags, thorax airbags, knee airbags, seat belt tensioner with belt force limiters, NECK-PRO crash-active head restraints, three-stage ESP and also ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection.

Further assistance systems are available on request:

* DISTRONIC PLUS: this proximity control system automatically maintains a set distance from the vehicle ahead, braking the SLK55 AMG to a stop if necessary and also accelerating the Roadster again.
* The PRE-SAFE Brake detects the acute danger of a rear-end collision and prepares for autonomous braking. The system is active at speeds of between 19 and 124 mph when moving vehicles are detected in front of the car.

Three Generations of the SLK by AMG

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG is already the third generation of the exclusively dynamic Roadster model made by AMG. It all started in 2001 with the SLK32 AMG. Its supercharged AMG V6 engine with a displacement of 3.2 liters produced 349 hp and maximum torque 332 lb-ft - as such, the SLK32 AMG was the most powerful vehicle among the competition.

At the end of 2004 this was followed by the SLK55 AMG. With its AMG 5.5-liter V8 engine, which developed 355 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque, it also took the lead in its segment. No other vehicle in this class offers a large-displacement eightcylinder engine - and Mercedes-AMG has remained consistently true to this philosophy with the successor model. The new 2012 SLK55 AMG will celebrate its U.S. market launch in early 2012.

Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications